[Inclosure.] Mr. Grinnell, collector, to Mr. Boutwell, Secretary of the Treasury. CUSTOM-HOUSE, NEW YORK, May 11, 1869. SIR: Since my letter of yesterday with reference to the steamship Quaker City, I have the honor further to report that I have been informed that a change in the ownership was made on the 5th day of May, last, for the sum of $125,000, and that on May 8, one Mr. Albon M. Jefferson, claiming to be a British subject, went before the British consul and took the oath of ownership of the said steamer, under the new name of Columbia. I would further add that the vessel is closely watched, and that there is no possibility of her making any movement of which I shall not be promptly advised. The air is thick with rumors of the secret preparation of other vessels for similar enterprises, of which I shall promptly inform you should the circumstances warrant an active interference. Very respectfully, &c., Hon. G. S. BOUTWELL, Secretary of the Treasury. M. H. GRINNELL, Collector. [52] *Mr. Pierrepont, district attorney, to Mr. Hoar, Attorney General. OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY OF THE UNITED STATES 41 Chambers street, May 12, 1869. SIR: Your letter of yesterday and telegram of to-day, relating to the Quaker City, are received. I had already taken means to get evidence upon that subject. I have also seen the collector. I believe the steamer is intended for an unlawful expedition, but as yet no one is willing to make any affidavit sufficient to warrant me instituting judicial proceedings. After full interview with the collector, he has agreed to keep the cutter in such position that the Quaker City cannot possibly escape. Within a few days I believe that I shall be in possession of evidence sufficient to libel the steamer. I think I can assure you that she will not escape on any unlawful errand. Very respectfully, yours, Hon. E. R. HOAR, EDWARDS PIERREONT, [53] Attorney-General. Mr. Fish, Secretary of State, to Mr. Hoar, Attorney-General. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, SIR: Mr. Roberts, the minister from Spain, has orally and in formally represented to this Department that the steamer Atlanta, at Philadelphia, has been sold to Cubans, and the steamers Memphis and Santiago de Cuba, at New York, and the steamer Florida, at Chester, Pennsylvania, are being fitted out under suspicious circumstances. The last named vessel, as you are aware, is the one respecting which the diplomatic representative of Hayti has also expressed apprehensions. The expediency of your instructing the judicial officers in regard to them is submitted to your consideration. I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant, Hon. E. R. HOAR, Attorney-General. HAMILTON FISH. Mr. Davis, Assistant Secretary of State, to Mr. Barlow, United States marshal. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, SIR: Your letter of the 8th instant, stating your proceedings and views in regard to the vessel Quaker City, and to possible expeditions against the island of Cuba, was received on the 10th instant.. I am, sir, your obedient servant, FRANCIS C. BARLOW, Esq., J. C. B. DAVIS, U. S. Marshal for the Southern District of New York, N. Y. [54] *Mr. Hoar, Attorney-General, to Mr. Pierrepont, district attorney. WASHINGTON, May 14, 1869. SIR: It has been orally represented to the Department of State, by the minister of Spain, that the steamers Memphis and Santiago de Cuba, at New York City, are being fitted out under suspicious circumstances. In regard to these steamers you will obey the instructions relating to the steamer Quaker City heretofore sent you by this office. Very respectfully, E. R. HOAR, [Duplicate of the above sent to Francis C. Barlow, esq., United States marshal, New York.] Mr. Boutwell, Secretary of the Treasury, to Mr. Fish, Secretary of State. TREASURY DEPARTMENT, Washington, May 14, 1869. SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 13th instant, informing me that Mr. Roberts, the minister of Spain, had represented to your Department that the steamer Atlanta, at Philadelphia, had been sold to Cubans, and that the steamers Memphis and Santiago de Cuba, at New York, and the steamer Florida, at Chester, Pennsylvania, were being fitted out under suspicious circumstances. The suggestion contained in your letter in regard to the expedi[55] ency of this Department issuing instructions to collectors of customs relative to the information communicated has been promptly acted upon, and such instructions have been this day issued to the collectors of the ports above mentioned, a copy of which is herewith transmitted. Mr. Boutwell, Secretary of the Treasury, to Mr. Grinnell, collector. TREASURY DEPARTMENT, SIR: I transmit herewith a copy of a letter under date of the 13th instant, from the Secretary of State, relative to representations made to him by the Spanish minister, in regard to the alleged fitting out of certain steamers at your port under suspicious circumstances. You will please exercise special vigilance to prevent the sailing of any vessel from your port in violation of law, and keep the Department fully advised respecting the matter. I am, very respectfully, GEO. S. BOUTWELL, Collector of Customs. M. H. GRINNELL, Esq., [56] *[Inclosure.] Mr. Boutwell, Secretary of the Treasury, to Mr. Moore, Collector. TREASURY DEPARTMENT, SIR: I transmit herewith a copy of a letter, under date of the 13th instant, from the Secretary of State, relative to representations made to him by the Spanish minister in regard to the alleged fitting out of certain steamers, under suspicious circumstances, at the ports of Philadelphia and Chester, in your district. You will please exercise special vigilance to prevent the sailing of any vessel from your port in violation. of the neutrality act of April 20, 1818, and keep the Department fully advised respecting the matter. I am, very respectfully, H. D. MOORE, Esq., GEO. S. BOUTWELL, Collector of Customs, Philadelphia. Mr. Boutwell, Secretary of the Treasury, to Mr. Fish, Secretary of State. TREASURY DEPARTMENT, SIR Respectfully referring to your communication of the 13th instant, and my reply thereto of the 14th, I have the honor to transmit herewith a copy of a letter from the collector of customs at New York, dated the 15th instant, stating that he had refused a clearance to the steamer Columbia, (Quaker City,) because of suspicious circumstances connected with her. [57] *I am, very respectully, GEO. S. BOUTWELL, Secretary of State. Hon. HAMILTON FISH, [Inclosure.] Mr. Grinnell, collector, to Mr. Boutwell, Secretary of the Treasury. CUSTOM-HOUSE, NEW YORK, Collector's Office, May 15, 1869. SIR: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 14th instant, transmitting a copy of one from the honorable Secretary of State, in regard to the alleged fitting out of several steamers at this port, and beg leave to report that the special vigilance of the officers of customs in this district has already been directed to the vessels named, and I have this day refused to grant a clearance to the steamer Columbia, (Quaker City,) the suspicious circumstances connected with her having induced me to adopt that course. Anticipating your approval of my action in the matter, I am, very respectfully, &c., M. H. GRINNELL, Collector. Hon. GEO. S. BOUTWELL, Secretary of the Treasury. [58] *Mr. Hoar, Attorney-General, to Mr. Fish, Secretary of State. ATTORNEY-GENERAL'S OFFICE, SIR: I have the honor to send inclosed herewith a copy of a letter this day received by me from the United States attorney for the southern district of New York, relating to the steamers Memphis and Santiago de Cuba. The several district attorneys are instructed that, whenever sufficient evidence is made known to them to establish before a court of justice probable cause to believe that any vessel is forfeitable for a violation of the neutrality laws, they are to file a libel and arrest the vessel. The expediency of your informing the minister of Spain that the United States attorneys of the several districts will receive directly from the Spanish consuls any facts they may be pleased to communicate respecting any violation of the neutrality laws of the United States, is submitted to your consideration. I have the honor to be, &c., Hon. HAMILTON FISH, E. R. HOAR, Mr. Pierrepont, district attorney, to Mr. Hoar, Attorney-General. FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, DEAR SIR: Yours of the 14th instant, relating to the Memphis and Santiago, came duly, and received prompt attention. There is no evidence as yet on which to detain them. I would suggest that, if the Spanish minister would instruct the Spanish consul here to take some pains and collect some evidence relating to these matters, and bring it to my notice, I shall act with the greatest promptness. Up to this date I have never seen or heard from the Spanish consul. Very respectfully, yours, Hon. E. R. HOAR, EDWARDS PIERREPONT, Attorney-General. Mr. Fish, Secretary of State, to Mr. Roberts, Spanish minister. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, [60] SIR: In a letter to this Department of the 18th instant, with particular reference to the cases of *the steamers Memphis and Santiago de Cuba, the Attorney-General recommends that you, or any other person in your behalf, communicate, to the attorney of the United States for the proper district, proof of a violation of the law. If such proof be so furnished, judicial proceedings will at once be set on foot for the purpose of preventing or punishing such violation. I am, sir, with, &c., Señor Don M. LOPEZ ROBERTS, &c., &c. HAMILTON FISH. Mr. Fish, Secretary of State, to Mr. Roberts, Spanish minister. SIR: I have the honor to inclose for your information a transcript of |